Present

The Prime Minister, (Mr. St-Laurent), in the Chair,
The Minister of National Defence (Mr. Campney),
The Minister of National Health and Welfare (Mr. Martin),
The Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. Pearson),
The Minister of Justice (Mr. Garson),
The Minister of Finance (Mr. Harris).
The Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources (Mr. Lesage) (For discussion of Item I).
The Secretary (Mr. Martin),
The Military Secretary (Commander Solomon).
The Chairman, Chiefs of Staff (General Foulkes),
The Chief of the Naval Staff (Vice Admiral Mainguy)
The Chief of the General Staff (Lieutenant-General Simonds),
The Chief of the Air Staff (Air Marshal Slemon),
The Vice-Chairman, Defence Research Board, (Mr. Davies).
The Deputy Minister of National Defence (Mr. Drury),
The Associate Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. MacKay),
The Assistant Deputy Minister of Finance (Mr. Deutsch),
The Assistant Deputy Minister of Defence Production (Mr. Hunter).

13. The Minister of National Defence said that when the Goose Bay lease had been arranged with the United States in December, 1952, a Canadian proposal that the Canadian government would expect to be consulted whenever there might be a substantial increase in numbers of U.S. personnel had been concurred in by the U.S. government.⁷¹ In accordance with this agreement, a request had been received for the rotation of certain Strategical Air Command units through Goose Bay airport. The purpose was to provide these units with familiarization and simulated combat operational training. The units involved included an Aerial Refuelling (Tanker) Squadron consisting of 20 aircraft and 400 personnel, to be stationed at Goose Bay on a continuing basis and rotated every 90 days, four additional refuelling squadrons consisting of 80 aircraft and 1600 personnel, for periods not exceeding 30 days; and the occasional rotation of one medium bomber wing for 90-day training periods, consisting of 45 aircraft and 2000 personnel. There were at Goose Bay now 418 R.C.A.F. and 3634 U.S. military personnel. If the proposal were approved, the numbers of U.S.A.F. personnel continuously at Goose Bay would rise by 400, and there might be as many as a further 3600 on a transient basis in the event that all the units were at Goose Bay at one time. These squadrons were involved solely in U.S. Strategical Air Command activities and would have no connection with the defence of the airport. The operation was one requiring special aircraft and special techniques which could not be carried out by the R.C.A.F.

An explanatory memorandum had been circulated.

(Minister's memorandum, January 20, 1955 - Document D5-55)?

14. In the course of discussion the following points emerged:

(a) SAC was a vital element in the defence of the free world and to refuse a request such as this, which had been made in accordance with the original agreement for leasing Goose Bay, would be embarrassing and difficult. As part of the Canada-U.S. region we had an obligation to our NATO partners to support SAC operations which were one of the main missions of the United States in the alliance. On the other hand, before reaching an affirmative decision the government should be assured that such a proposal did in fact add to the overall defence strength of the free world. If the Chiefs of Staff agreed that a request such as this would contribute to strengthening further the defence of North America and NATO, there could be no objection to it.

(b) The proposal appeared to be the first of a series for the establishment by SAC in the northern parts of Canada of other bases for refuelling and support of their aircraft, and such proposals, if acceded to, would imperil more and more Canadian sovereignty over its own territory. So far there were no requests for stockpiling atomic and thermo-nuclear weapons on Canadian soil but this might follow. On the other hand, the provision of refuelling facilities could mean that such requests would not be made because aircraft carrying these weapons would be refuelled in the air and would not have to land.

(c) Adding to U.S. strength in Goose Bay was not too worrying because of the remote location of the base. However, it was possible there would be requests to provide further facilities at Edmonton for SAC and this would present greater difficulties.

(d) Unless Canada changed her attitude and policy and ceased to encourage the support and the making ready of retaliatory forces, it was almost impossible to refuse the request which had been made.

15. The Committee, after further discussion, agreed to recommend that permission be given for the location on a continuing basis of an Aerial Refuelling (Tanker) Squadron at Goose Bay, consisting of 20 aircraft and 400 personnel; the rotation for periods not exceeding 30 days of a further four refuelling squadrons consisting of 80 aircraft and 1600 personnel; and the rotation occasionally for 90-day training periods of one medium bomber wing consisting of 45 aircraft and 2000 personnel.⁷² ...